Iron Deficiency Anemia Secondary to Inadequate Dietary Iron Intake

People with anemia have a lower-than-normal level of red blood
cells (RBCs) in their blood. It can cause headaches, weakness, fatigue, and
many other symptoms. It can also lead to long-term health problems if not
treated.

Without enough iron, your body will make fewer RBCs or will
produce smaller RBCs than normal. This leads to iron deficiency anemia
secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake. In other words, the anemia is caused
by not getting enough iron from the foods you eat.

There are many causes of anemia, but iron deficiency is the most
common. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency is the top nutritional disorder
in the world. Research suggests that as many as 80 percent of people in the
world don’t have enough iron in their bodies. It also suggests that as many as 30
percent of people have anemia due to prolonged iron deficiency.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can be very mild at first and symptoms may
go unnoticed. According to the American Society of
Hematology, most people don’t realize they have anemia until it’s found in
a routine blood test.

As iron deficiency gets worse, symptoms can include:

fatigue

weakness

pale skin

shortness of breath

dizziness

headaches

brittle nails

fast heartbeat

strange cravings for ice or dirt, called pica

cold hands and feet

tingling or a crawling-feeling in the legs

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the
United States. It’s also the most common cause of anemia. Iron deficiency
anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron intake is caused by consuming a
diet low in iron-rich foods. The best source of iron in foods is from meat, fish,
beans, and foods fortified with additional iron.

There are many reasons why you may not be getting enough iron in your
diet. The following groups of people are at a higher risk of having a diet low
in iron:

vegetarians or vegans who don’t replace meat
with other iron-rich food

people with an eating disorder

people who are poor or homeless and do not have
easy access to food

people who live in urban "food deserts," where
healthy, affordable food is not available

elderly people who do not eat a complete or
diverse diet

young children who drink a lot of cow’s milk, as
cow’s milk is low in iron

people on a weight loss diet

people who eat a diet low in fruits, vegetables,
and meat

people who consume excessive amounts of daily
caffeine

people who regularly take antacids

Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Your doctor can diagnose anemia with several different blood
tests.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

This is usually the first test your doctor will use. A CBC test
measures the amounts of all components in your blood. These components include:

red blood cells, RBCs

white blood cells, WBCs

hemoglobin

hematocrit, the percentage of total blood volume
that is made up of RBCs

In iron deficiency anemia, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are
low and RBCs are usually smaller than normal in size.

A CBC test is often performed as part of a routine physical
examination because it’s a good indicator of your overall health. It may also
be performed routinely before surgery.

Other Tests

Your doctor can usually confirm anemia with a CBC test. But they
might order other blood tests to identify the severity of your anemia and how
to treat it. They may also examine your blood under a microscope to provide
more information, including:

total iron-binding capacity: People with an iron
deficiency have a large amount of a protein transferrin that isn’t properly transporting
iron.

If you’re eating a poor diet, it’s likely you are also deficient
in other vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may order several other blood tests
to determine if you’re deficient in anything else. This may include blood tests
for folic acid and vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Potential Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Most cases of anemia caused by iron deficiency are mild and do
not cause complications. However, if iron is not added back into your diet, it
can lead to other health problems.

Anemia forces your heart to pump more blood to compensate for the
low amount of oxygen. Heart failure or an enlarged heart muscle may occur if
the iron deficiency is not reversed.

In pregnant women, severe cases of iron deficiency can cause a
child to be born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Most pregnant women
take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care to prevent this from
happening.

Infants and children severely deficient in iron may experience a
delay in their growth and development. They may also be more susceptible to
infections.

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Supplements

Iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. You may
need to take iron supplements for several months. Iron supplements may cause
constipation or stools that are black in color. Plant-based iron supplements
may be tolerated more easily and cause less digestive symptoms.

If your doctor determines that you’re deficient in other vitamins
and minerals, they may also prescribe other vitamins or a multivitamin.

Diet

You should eat a diet high in iron-rich foods and vitamin C to
prevent low blood-iron levels. Mothers should make sure to feed their babies
either breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula. Iron-fortified infant
cereals are also available when babies are ready to start eating solid foods.

Diets high in red meat, dark leafy vegetables, dried fruits and
nuts, iron-fortified cereals, or bread can help treat or prevent iron
deficiency. Foods high in iron include:

Vegetarians and vegans should make sure they’re eating enough
beans, tofu, dried fruits, spinach, and other dark vegetables. They should
incorporate iron-fortified foods into their diet regularly. According to the National
Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, vegetarians who don’t
eat animal products may need nearly twice as much iron on a daily basis as
people who eat animal products. This is because iron from plant foods may not
be absorbed as easily or completely as iron found in animal products, such as
meat.

Nutritional Counseling

Your doctor may also refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist.
These specialists are trained in healthy eating. A dietitian can help make sure
you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat.

People with an eating disorder may need to speak with a
nutritionist to discuss long-term treatment options.

Blood Transfusions

In severe cases, a blood transfusion can replace iron quickly.
This procedure involves receiving blood through an intravenous (IV) line
inserted into a blood vessel.

Iron deficiency anemia secondary to inadequate dietary iron
intake is a common condition. It’s easy to detect and treat through dietary
changes and supplements.

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your health care provider. Please consult a health care professional with any health concerns you may have.